Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8471, John Fields, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Fields, John
S. 8471
Born in Va.
CONTENTS
carded

2748. R. Virginia. John Fields, Patrick Co. Va. in the State of who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the ★ line for
★ N.C. Line, Oct. 24, 1904 Records Completed
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of July 1850 and sent to S. J. Coombs Present
In arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending
Recorded by J. P. Chase Clerk, Vol. 2 Page 14 Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Let to C. Turner 22 April 1852 " Reported same 12 May 52
W. J. A.

El Paso, Tex May 30 th
James E. Heath Com-pension Washington City

Patrick Co. W. Virg.
May 2 nd 1852
James E. Heath Com- pensions
Dear sir yours of the 22 nd ultimo. in answer to mine of the 12 th has just been received in which you say "I'm. Fields pension was allowed 2 nd July 1850 which was probably before his death etc"
I neither saw him at the time of his death or after but I presume it can be proved he died in the early part of April 1850 some three months before the pension was allowed. I would like to see a copy of all the papers in the case. Particularly the power of attorney by virtue of which the money was drawn from Mr. Lawson the agent in Richmond as Fields was dead long before the time the money was drawn and the administrator says he never signed any letters of attorney etc. Some of the evidence to prove Fields claim to a pension was taken after his death I am told -
Greenville Willis is the administrator of Fields and says he never received but $127.14 though $764.55 was paid on account of the pension. I do not know these facts of my own personal knowledge yet I have them from such a source I variy believe them
Yours att- Scrub Granford Turner

State of Virginia } ss County of Patrick }
on this 25 th day of March 1860 personally appeared in open court before the court of Patrick now sitting
John Fields a resident in the County of Patrick and state of Virginia aged 89 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June the 7 th 1832 that he entered the service of the united states under the following named officers, and served as herein stated he states that in the spring of the year 1776, Captain William Balbet came across the mountain from big Reed Island to the County of Surry state of North Carolina a distance of about Twenty miles to raise a company to pursue the Shawnee Indians who had been committing depredations, on the persons and property of the neighbourhood of Reed Island River. This applicant joined his company as a Volunteer march from the County of Surry where he then lived across the mountain to the County of Botetourt the Indians having obtained stem of their near approach, took shelter in a cove called the big cove, Capt Bobbet surrounded the cove with the determination to starve the Indians into a surrender, he remained encamped at the mouth of the cove forty days the Indians would not surrender but starved to death in the cove, all except one which under took to make his escape and was fire upon and killed the company marched back to Reed Island the abode of Capt Bobbet and was discharged he was engaged in this expedition three months he states that Capt Bobbet's company was the only company engaged in this expedition and that he started on the expedition on the 3 rd day of May 1776 - he states that in the month of August 1776 shortly after his return from the above expedition he entered the service as a Volunteer under Captain George Beuthanger

2  joined a regiment under the command of Colonel Joseph Williams destined against the Cherokee Indians the Regiment rendezvous at Dobson's Cross Roads, in the County of Surry State of N.C. now the County of Stokes at this place the company became dissatisfied with Capt Scattergood and voted in Captain William Dobson under whom this officer marched from that place to the Cherokee towns a distance of about three hundred miles on this way they were joined by a regiment from Virginia under the command of Col Christie they destroyed some of the Indian towns but could not bring them to a fight aged an arm of peace the regiment to which he belonged was ordered back to the Long Islands of Holston the larger portion of which was then discharged, the remainder was stationed there to keep the Indians in subjection until the treaty agreed upon could be ratified this officer was among the retained who remained there for some time when they com- menced their march homeward where he arrived about the first of March having been engaged in this expedition 7 mo seven months . This officer states that shortly after his return from the above tour he joined Captain David Boars, company of Minute men for the term of six months during which term Capt Boars with his company was ordered to march against the Tories who had collected together near the head of the Yadkin River they marched up the Yadkin to near its head the hearing of their approach dispersed they then returned home having been engaged 21 in this expedition 21 days This was the only time he was called days on during his six months engagement. when he returned home in the fall of 1777 he then joined Captain Joshua Gose company of Minute men for six months during this engagement he believes in the spring of 1778 he was called on to march against the Tories up the Yadkin they marched up said River nearly to its head not coming in contact with the Tories. They returned home through Guilford County having been 40 engaged forty days - his term of enlistment or engagement days under Gose having terminated he volunteered under Captain William Shepherd in the month of June 1778 in an expedition against the Tories who it was reported had collected in a body near the Long Swamps down an or near Rocky River they commenced their march in June 1778 towards Rocky River to a place called the Stone House and then to the Long Swamps before they reached the Long Swamps they were joined by several other companies they found the Tories collected and engaged them

3  in battle, which continued but a short time before the Tories gave way and fled into the swamps where it was thought not advisable to follow them in this battle this opponent was wounded by a rifle ball passing through his leg but fortunately did not break a bone being now unable to ride. He was left in the care and under the protection of Captain John Johnson who resided not far off. His captain and the rest of the company returned home this opponent remained about a month and then returned home having been engaged three months in actual service and one month detained by his wound for which he claims four months. This opponent again entered the service as a Volunteer under Captain Joseph Blood in March 1779 March to 96 in South Carolina was there stationed for a short time hearing that a party of Tories had collected together in one river or swamp near Wilmington they were ordered to march against them after marching a considerable distance they came upon a band of Tories had a recontre in which this opponent received a shot through his wrist. They then commenced their march home having been engaged in this expedition at least three months. The most part of duty this opponent performed was in the year 1780 he volunteered under Captain John Smith in the county of Surrey where he made him to join a regiment under Colonel Williams destined against the British and Tories in the South they proceeded to a place called the crossing near which place they found Colonel Williams regiment who had previously joined Col Campbell Cleveland and others and was in hot pursuit of the British under the command of Higgerson they pursued him to Kings Mountain on the top of which place the battle and the combined forces of Williams Cleveland and Campbell attacked him on the mountain a dreadful battle ensued in which the combined forces of the Williams and the were successful in this battle Col Williams was killed as also the British commander in the battle this opponent received three wounds from the bayonet of the enemy one in the thigh one in the hip and one in the left breast but not so as to disable him this opponent was taken

a few days after the battle to aid in guarding prisoners his 3 three months having expired he was discharged and returned home he served in this expedition three months in December following he entered this service again, under Captain William Lewis of Perry County March under him to join General Morgan who at that time was in imminent danger being as it was said surrounded by danger with by the enemy they reach him in time in time to be engaged in the battle of the Cowpens in which General Tarleton was defeated he remained with the army until the expiration of his tour of which was three months was discharged and returned home about the first of March 1781 in this battle at the Cowpens this officer received a blow on the head with a sword from one of the enemy which fell him to the ground the scars of which as well as the scars from other wounds above mentioned are now visible. He states during the war he performed several other short tours against the Tories but was neglected to mention them in their proper place one of those short tours was under Capt Bland Capt Base and Capt Blackburn all in company, after the Tories in the next ridges in Perry County this engagement did not last more than two weeks in this they killed four Tories and re-captured properly they had the taken Robbing the citizens of town *Horse off of town Horse is a branch of Bon River the other small towns he declines claiming for he states that he received discharges for the regular tours performed by him signed principally by the Captains under whom he served, with one exception which was signed by Col Ledbetter all of which has long since been lost or destroyed, that he has no documentary evidence of service and knows of no person living by whom he can prove service except by Edmund Hickman of State County North Carolina and Thomas Ayres of Perry County some state to by whom he can prove part of his service if they are living and he has not heard of their death - he will endeavor to procure their affidavits and forward them he states that he was born in the County of Bedford now the County of Campbell in the state of Virginia on the first day of October 1761

according to a transcript of his age now in his pension taken from some register of his age in his mother's Bible.
He states that his father moved to Roan County State of North Carolina when this applicant was about five years old that County being divided and Sevier taken off he resided in Sevier during the Revolution time which Stokes County was formed out of Sevier where in he lived until about 15 years past he took up his abode in Patrick County State of Virginia where now resides, Patrick and Stokes Counties join one on each side of the State line - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for Veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution and the name of the clergyman of your neighborhood if any there be. Answer - There is no clergyman in my immediate neighborhood There is no clergyman in my immediate neighborhood There is no clergyman in my immediate neighborhood James ... for ... Edmund G. Allen and Joseph Boiro and Martin Blasee who are the only persons present in Court from my neighborhood
this applicant be interrogated why he had not made earlier application for a pension - States that he has always been of opinion that no man, notwithstanding he may have fought for liberty should apply to his government for a support so long as he is able to support himself, but that he has now become so infirm that he is not able to procure a living by his labour - and having nothing to support himself upon, he deems it now right and proper to apply for and claim the provisions made by the government for those who served their country in the revolutionary war. He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John H. Fields mark

We Edmund Collins Joseph Brown and Martin Gland, residing in the county of Patrick hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Gland who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty nine years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides, and has been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Subscribed and sworn to this day in the presence of us  Edmund Collins  Joseph Brown  Martin Gland
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department and from an examination of the wounds inflicted on the body of the said John Gland that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Edmund Collins Joseph Brown and Martin Gland who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons; and that their statements are entitled to credit.
And I, Abraham Seayles, clerk of the court of Patrick county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Gland for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26 th day of March 1800.
Abraham Seayles Clerk
We James Dean Robert M c Clark Eusebius Patton John W. Smyth George W. Bland Nathaniel McMillan Joseph M c Milligan William M c Milligan Russell Smith Eli Heath and Samuel M c Burn
residing in the County of Patrick and State of Virginia do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the John

Fields who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 89 years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he remains to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion and that the said John Fields is a credible person
James D. Dean Robert M. Clark Ezekiel Eaton John W. Smith George W. Cloud Nathaniel McMillan Joseph McMillan William McMillan Jr Ezekiel Smith Jr Eli Heath Samuel Armstrong
State of Virginia Patrick County. The above was sworn to and subscribed before me Martin Cloud a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Patrick and State of Virginia and do hereby certify that the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing certificate are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit given under my hand this 4 th day of April 1850 Martin Cloud J.P.
State of Virginia Patrick County,
this day Thomas Ayres of Surry County State of North Carolina a credible witness who being first duly sworn deponeth and saith that his father resided on the main road in Surry County in time of the revolution, and that a few days after the Battle at Kings Mountain among the soldiers returning from the Battle he saw John Fields the above applicant his attention was particularly drawn to him on account of his being exempt differently from the rest of the soldiers he carried a large gun on his shoulder a small one hanging to his back and a large sword hanging by

By his side that heard him convers about the battle and speak of having been slightly wounded. he states that he saw the said fields at another in the army when return from the battle of the Bull Run, that he has been acquainted with John Fields ever since, that he has frequently heard his Brother speak of having served with the above applicant - this applicant declares that he was about Eleven or twelve years old when he saw John Fields at the times spoken of above
his Thomas S. Myers, mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of April 1850
Martin Cloud J.D.
I Abram Staples clerk of the court of Patrick county do hereby certify that Martin Cloud is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office the 22nd day of April 1850
Abram Staples clerk of the court of Patrick county
John Fields

State of Virginia } Patrick County } 35
The deposition of William Moore of Esqr of Stokes County North Carolina aged 86 years taken before me Martin Bland a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Patrick the 24th day of June 1850 to be read as evidence in support of the claim of John Fields to a Pension the said William Moore being first duly sworn according to law deposith and saith that he came acquainted with John Fields the applicant for a pension when this applicant was about fifteen years of age it was then said that John Fields had been a soldier in the revolutionary war. I frequently saw Fields in company, where he was talked of as a veteran of the revolution. He has had many conversations between his, his affiant Brother Samuel (who is now dead) and John Fields in relation to their services together in the war of the revolution they having served in the same together lines, he further declares that he has heard Capt Joseph Bland who was a captain in the revolution and who has been dead many years, speak of the services of John Fields he said John Fields served under him and was a willing and valiant soldier and was always willing and ready to serve his country when ever called on that they had served together as privates at the long Island of Walston when he was a private before he got the appointment of Captain. He used to say that Fields ought to be highly respected for the manly cause he pursued in fighting for liberty when his Father and older Brothers were Tories, he states that he has been acquainted the applicant for fifty years or more and he has always bore the name of a veteran of the revolution
W m Moore
sworn to and subscribed before me the day and date above
Martin Bland Justice Peace
William Moore Nathaniel Young of Patrick County aged 85 years being first duly sworn for the purpose above stated. declares that he has been acquainted with John Fields fifty years - he first met with Fields at a harvest where there were many persons and Fields was there acted as a veteran of the revolution he then heard him relate his services in the war the many narrow escapes he had made the wounds he had

He received shaming scars, he has often since heard him speak of his services in the revolution which he seemed to pride in. He has been acquainted with him ever since and that he has always bore the name of a revolutionary soldier further this deponent saith not
his Matthew G. Young mother
sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of June 1850
Martin Bland Justice Peace
William McMillion said aged 80 years being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was born in the county of Surrey State of North Carolina near the county of Stokes near the residence of the father of John Fields the applicant for a pension. That he became acquainted with the applicant as soon as he did with any of his neighbours that shortly after the revolutionary war he heard John Fields tell over the part he took in the war, with the receipts he had many (his scars), at various periods of his life he has heard him speak of his services in which he seems to pride himself. He has always been regarded by his acquaintances as having been a soldier of the revolution further this deponent saith not
his William McMillion mother
Sworn and subscribed the day and date above before me.
Martin Bland Justice Peace
William Burge of Patrick County aged 70 years being duly sworn as above. declares that he became acquainted with John Fields, forty years past that Fields then lived in Stokes County N.C. he then heard him speak of having been in the revolution of the Battles he had fought and the wounds he received has known him ever since and has never heard his statements contradicted
Wm Burge
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and date above
Martin Bland J.P.
Elisha Collins of Patrick County deposeth and saith that he is 80 years old he has known John Fields for 70 years or thereabouts, that from the close of the revolutionary war down to the present time John Fields has claimed himself to have been a soldier of the revolution
Elisha Collins
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and date above Martin Bland J.P.

Patrick County Set:
I Abram Staples clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Martinoland before whom the annexed affidavits were taken is a magistrate in and for the County aforesaid duly appointed and commissioned according to law and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine; and I further certify that from a long acquaintance with William Moore, Nathaniel Young, William M c Million, William Burge, and Elisha Collins the annexed affiants, I regard them as men of undoubted veracity and excellent characters.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 5th day of June 1850
A. Staples clerk of the County Court of Patrick

Revtran
8471 INVALID. am
File No. 8471
John Fields
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. Set , Page 124
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Washington, May 29 th 1850.
Sir:
On the 8 th inst. I filed in the Pension Office the Declaration of John Fields, for a Pension under the Act of 1832, with some hard evidence as to service. When the Declaration was made out, and when the papers were put into my hands, the claimant had no idea that any record evidence could be procured in regard to Military service in North Carolina. I however wrote to the Comptroller of North Carolina, and obtained from him the enclosed certificate, and the claimant does not even yet know that any such evidence exists. He will perceive that the certificate confirms his declaration, made in total ignorance of any such proof evidence being in existence. I take it for granted no objection will be made to the allowance of the claim.
I am very respectfully &c
J. J. Coombs
Hon J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions.

John Fields.
Act. 1832.
Cf. of Comptroller of N.C. Addl proof
Dickins & Cummins

Raleigh N C Compt Office May 25 1850
I William G Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the name of John Giles appears of record in this office as having had the following special Certificates issued in his favor for Military Service performed in the Revolutionary War, viz one for Nine pounds four shillings (£9.4) see Book No 23 page 113 also another for One pound Five Shillings and six pence (£1.10.6) see Book No 11 page 22. Also another for Four pounds Four Shillings (£4.4) see Book No 2 page 1. Also another for Eight pounds Twelve shillings (£8.12) see Book No 23 page 15 Also another for Eight pounds Fourteen shillings (£8.14) see same Book page 110. I also certify that the Books do not show his grade nor do they show under what officers he served; given under My hand and seal the day above written.
Wm G Collins Compt

House, Of Rep s Washington City June 25 th 1850
Sir,
Allow me to invoke your immediate action on the application of John Field Fields of Patricio County Virginia for a pension, filed some weeks ago. I have received a letter from a constituent, informing me of the feeble health of the old man, and unless a decision is had soon, he may not live to enjoy his pension.
Very respectfully
Thos. H. Averett, Rep s 3 d Cong. Dist. Va.
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Comm. of Pensions

John Fields, Va.
Adtl. Evidence
—
Pens a Act 1832
—

Washington, June 17 th 1850
Sir:
Enclosed you will find additional evidence in support of the claim of John Fields of Patrick County, Virginia, to a pension for revolutionary services. This evidence with the certificate of the Comptroller of N. Carolina, which I filed on the 29 th ultimo, establishes the claim, in my opinion, beyond all doubt, and opinion in which I doubt not you will fully concur, if you look at the evidence on file.
Very respectfully Yours obed servt J. J. Coombs
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm r of Pensions

Patrick County Va. 12 th April 1852
James E. Heath Commissioner of pensions Dear sir
I must trouble you with a few enquiries which I hope you will answer at your earliest convenience first can arnold be placed on the pension list after his death secondly. if a pensioner dies leaving a pension due him but leaves no widow nor child nor the descendants of any can to the pension, be drawn. If these questions should be answered in the negative Please send a copy of the papers, proofs &c. on file in the pension office in relation to the pension of Jno. Fields of Patrick County said Fields was placed on the list since his death and the pension was drawn last May as I learn from Mr. Lawson (the agents letter) for paying pensions in Virginia I suspect crimes of the deepest dye have been committed against my enquiries speedily You will recognize in the under signed an old and fast friend P.S. send copies any how { Your abt. servt - To E. Claws with Patrick co- speedily
Granford Turner

38019
R
John Fields Virginia
admitted
Private 1 st yr $40. com 4 March 1831
Ady June 32
J. L. Coombs Present.

May 1/50
John Fields
Pension Act 7 th June 1832
W. A. C.
Filed by G. H. Dickinson. 8 May 1850.

State of North Carolina
States County } ss
Be it known that on the 15th day of April 1850 before me
John W. Batten, a justice of the peace in and for States County, personally appeared Edmund H. Henson for States County aged 80 years or thereabouts, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposes and saith that he is well acquainted with John Fields of the County of Patrick and State of Virginia. That prior to his acquaintance with him in time of the revolution any time and since since that time, he states that he saw said fields in the army a short time before. Further deposes that he knows of his being a soldier in the American Revolution. That Fields was in the Horse Artillery at Appomattox Court House. He does not recollect if he was present. He further states he knew many of the officers under whom John Fields states in his declaration that he served, his declaration having first been read to him. He further states that said fields has always been respected and beloved in this neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution, that he believes the said Fields be 89 years of age. This deponent further saith not
Edwin H. Henson
sworn and subscribed before me the date above mentioned
J. W. Batten (JP)

State of North Carolina } Stokes County }
I John Hill Clerk of the Court of pleas & quarter sessions for Stokes County do certify that John W. Belling whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is a duly commissioned qualified & acting Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid & that his signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office & subscribed my name this 15 th day of April 1850. M c Hill. esq.